….with Tara DeMaris

One Prayer Away From Changing Your Life

Today begins the 40 Days of prayer challenge that we presented to you all on our Facebook page about ten days ago.

I don’t know about you, but we have some major things in our life and decisions to make and we could use all the prayer we can muster up. Continually. Always. Everywhere. Everything. Just as it says in Philippians 4:6…

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayerandpetition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Ask yourself some questions to prepare for this next 40 days:

What should I circle in prayer?

When should I pray?

Where should I pray?

Who can I invite to do the prayer challenge with me?

Let’s just talk about those four questions for a second. 1) think about what you need from God in your life right now. We all have needs or, at the very least, know someone who needs something. Healing? Confirmation? Hope? Answers? 2) What is the best time for no distractions and alone time with God? Mine is in the morning when the kids are either sleeping or they have gotten on the bus and there is no one here but me. This is critical for your deeper connection time with God. 3) be comfortable, but not so comfortable that you fall asleep while you pray or that your mind will start to wander when you need to be intentional. 4) don’t do it alone. God gave us people to fellowship with and have as companions for a reason. We need to lean on each other and carry each other’s burdens. Share your prayer requests with someone (or more than one) that you trust will pray with you over them. David and I are committed to also be these people for you. Send us an email with your request. We will add it to our prayer journal and commit to pray with you over them.

Guys, Jesus prayed too…“During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” Hebrews 5:7 (NIV)

It is important that you know, we don’t have this all figured out. We are in the same boat as you. We are praying for many things in our own lives and family life. We need the same as you and we also need a team of people that surround us in prayer. Let people know that you are embarking on this journey for 40 days so that you have someone covering you in prayer. I promise you will need it because you are about to step into spiritual warfare, especially if you have never taken on such a challenge.

Let me share a quick life story with you: when I first accepted my first 40 day challenge, I was greeted with hardship. Yes, it was really hard. I was determined to do this challenge with my cousin and Satan really didn’t like it. David lost his job and our family income was cut but more than half and my teaching schedule dropped dramatically. Our kids were at each other more than ever and, honestly, I really didn’t like any of them very much. I was so desperate for God to do something to take it away. He taught me, in the midst of all this, that I needed to trust Him. He has a plan and He is always faithful. By the time the 40 days was up, God provided means for our bills. One thing that God did for us: our landlords gave us back our rent payment for one month, without us telling them a thing, and that allowed us to buy food and get necessities for the kids for school. That was just one of many things He did during this time. God is listening to your prayers and He cares. Trust him during this time and lean on other believers. Invite them into this journey to battle with you.

I want to also encourage you to journal through these next 40 days. “If you press into God’s presence like never before, you will experience God like never before.” (Mark Batterson) Journaling is going to help you go back and see where God answered and broke through in your journey. It will also help hold you accountable these next 40 days. We also want to hear how God is moving in your prayer life. Make sure to leave us comments or send us an email. We believe that God is going to begin a good work in you. Believe with us!

Here is a prayer from Max Lucado’s Pocket Prayers: Father, you have made me your child through your Spirit. In your kindness you adopted me and delivered me from sin and death. Remind me today what it means to be your child and to be free from that law. It is so easy for me to live my day on my own terms. Help me to live it in light of your grace. I pray for my friends and family. Help them experience your love as their father and feel their inheritance in your spirit. Thank you for accepting me as I am but not leaving me the same. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Romans 8:15)

Tara is the founder and president of Titus II Ministry as well as a contributing writer and speaker. She is the wife to David, eighteen years, and the mother to their five children. Together, they make their home in Missouri. She is a graduate of Crown College and most passionate about reaching the hearts of women globally through mentoring, friendship, and God’s Word. She is also the co-author of Journey In Faith. “Make history with God and He will make history through you.”